The plight of DPRK defectors in South Korea is tragic. A country of 50 million people is struggling to help 27,000 defectors? Give me a break. It boils down to a lack of interest. The South Koreans no longer yearn for reunification. The current generation has no connection to their poor cousins in the north and view the DPRK as an alien black hole. They are not interested in paying for it and it would only interfere with their self absorbed consumer-cult lives.
2
I have heard of the lack of basic life-skills of North Korean defectors is a means intentionally applied by DPRK, to reducing the number of defectors, by actually making it much harder for the defectors to be integrated into the SK society, or simply any other normal society. The defectors have to cope with lack of skills, unemployment, psychological burdens, and probably the remorse of putting family members into danger for his/her defection. This article sheds light on the primary atrocity committed by DPRK upon its own people, by putting less emphasis on personal accounts of defectors, which is exactly what we should do -- not to over-stress.
These people certainly deserve admiration for finding the strength to escape such an oppressing government.
For the support that you claim should increase by the rest of the world, i think South Korea already does what it can to accommodate these people. More financial help won't make a difference. I think what needs to be done is to educate people on the reason why these people are escaping their own country. I think education is the best shot we have to stop prejudice and social isolation; when people understand who these defectors are and what they have been through, I believe that, socially, things may begin to change.
For the support that you claim should increase by the rest of the world, i think South Korea already does what it can to accommodate these people. More financial help won't make a difference. I think what needs to be done is to educate people on the reason why these people are escaping their own country. I think education is the best shot we have to stop prejudice and social isolation; when people understand who these defectors are and what they have been through, I believe that, socially, things may begin to change.
1
Credibility seems hardly matter in Korea. The government and the press, regardless of the left or right, spawn fictions everyday and get away with it. But, in the West, credibility is an easy thing to lose and hard thing to regain once lost. Shin's case may be a side show, I don't know. But I certainly stopped listening to the defectors or one-sided South Korean accounts controlled by KCIA and hamstrung by their oppressive National Security Law.
As for the human rights being the larger issue, even larger one is the North Korean economy. North Korea had started their transition to a market economy in the 90s before abrruptly reversing when the Agreed Framework failed and Bush labeled them an Axis of Evil. Now that we are normalizing with Cuba, we should also find a way to trade a peace treaty and normalization in exchange for their nukes dismantling. That will spur their economy and the improving economy will do more than anything to eventually improve their human rights. That certainly would be a better solution for North Koreans than defecting to South Korea and face discrimination and no prospect for better life.
As for the human rights being the larger issue, even larger one is the North Korean economy. North Korea had started their transition to a market economy in the 90s before abrruptly reversing when the Agreed Framework failed and Bush labeled them an Axis of Evil. Now that we are normalizing with Cuba, we should also find a way to trade a peace treaty and normalization in exchange for their nukes dismantling. That will spur their economy and the improving economy will do more than anything to eventually improve their human rights. That certainly would be a better solution for North Koreans than defecting to South Korea and face discrimination and no prospect for better life.
3
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this. The truth should be valuable and potent enough. Anytime scandals come to the surface regarding those who escape, it does paint a bad light.
I don't respect lying from anyone. At the same time, I have to ask how much they know they are lying, and how much of it is from habit from where they live.
I hope to continue hearing your experiences from North Korea, as much as you're able to share. Thanks for your social commentary on this.
I don't respect lying from anyone. At the same time, I have to ask how much they know they are lying, and how much of it is from habit from where they live.
I hope to continue hearing your experiences from North Korea, as much as you're able to share. Thanks for your social commentary on this.
1
Unfortunately normalizing trade with the DPRK will overwhelmingly benefit the Party elite and those living in the showcase city, and not necessarily the millions of people starving on the outskirts. With a referral to the ICC on the table, and with China increasingly frustrated with the DPRK's seemingly erratic behavior and unwillingness to accept economic reforms, I don't see the U.S. setting up a trade agreement with North Korea anytime soon, if ever. Hopefully the North and South will unify in the near future, and those at the helm of the DPRK government will be held accountable.
Defectors may lie or skew facts from time to time, this is true, but one can simply look to the myriad of government, international, and NGO reports which publish only credible accounts from refugees. These refugees are interviewed by experience lawyers and international experts, and their stories are cross-referenced with others who would have been in the same camps.
Ms. Lee is right that other countries should step up and accept North Koreans. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has publicly stated that the U.S. should endeavor to accept North Korean refugees, which is crucial at a time where other countries are sending North Koreans to South Korea on the grounds that they have automatic citizenship in the South. This is done regardless of how long the refugee has been in the country, or whether they even want to go to South Korea.
Defectors may lie or skew facts from time to time, this is true, but one can simply look to the myriad of government, international, and NGO reports which publish only credible accounts from refugees. These refugees are interviewed by experience lawyers and international experts, and their stories are cross-referenced with others who would have been in the same camps.
Ms. Lee is right that other countries should step up and accept North Koreans. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has publicly stated that the U.S. should endeavor to accept North Korean refugees, which is crucial at a time where other countries are sending North Koreans to South Korea on the grounds that they have automatic citizenship in the South. This is done regardless of how long the refugee has been in the country, or whether they even want to go to South Korea.
2
North Korea will never give up its nukes. And in economic liberalization projects, such as the Kaesong Industrial Complex, wages paid by South Korean companies go directly to the North Korean regime, and we don't know how much the poor workers actually get paid, but the estimated amount is very low. It's false to presume that economic liberalization will benefit the average North Koreans.
"North Korea had started their transition to a market economy in the 90s before abrruptly reversing when the Agreed Framework failed and Bush labeled them an Axis of Evil."
This is a really weak excuse for those who try to blame the US for everything and excuse the horrible policies of the regime in North Korea. Why does North Korea's liberalization of the economy depend solely on the US? The North Korean leadership could make its own decision to open the economy, but it doesn't, so what does that tell you?
And don't tell me how the leadership has pledged to open the economy with special economic zones and foreign investment. They've been saying that for many years. The few special economic zones are intentionally isolated from the rest of the economy, and any economic benefits are hoarded at the top, with very little going to average North Koreans.
You'll probably reply: "But the leadership really wants to liberalize this time. They are planning new economic development zones." Same old story... it's always "tomorrow" for the North Korean regime, and its apologists.
"North Korea had started their transition to a market economy in the 90s before abrruptly reversing when the Agreed Framework failed and Bush labeled them an Axis of Evil."
This is a really weak excuse for those who try to blame the US for everything and excuse the horrible policies of the regime in North Korea. Why does North Korea's liberalization of the economy depend solely on the US? The North Korean leadership could make its own decision to open the economy, but it doesn't, so what does that tell you?
And don't tell me how the leadership has pledged to open the economy with special economic zones and foreign investment. They've been saying that for many years. The few special economic zones are intentionally isolated from the rest of the economy, and any economic benefits are hoarded at the top, with very little going to average North Koreans.
You'll probably reply: "But the leadership really wants to liberalize this time. They are planning new economic development zones." Same old story... it's always "tomorrow" for the North Korean regime, and its apologists.
3
Good for you, but,
"Other countries should provide more North Korean defectors with asylum. Right now, most countries only accept a very limited number of defectors. But if more countries were willing to take more defectors, it would lessen the burden on South Korea, which struggles to support the growing number of North Korean refugees."
Huh?
"Other countries should provide more North Korean defectors with asylum. Right now, most countries only accept a very limited number of defectors. But if more countries were willing to take more defectors, it would lessen the burden on South Korea, which struggles to support the growing number of North Korean refugees."
Huh?
1
Do you know something relevant on this or just skeptical ?
People may be unaware of this problem. But she is correct.
http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2011/09/20-north-korea-cohen
http://en.asaninst.org/contents/resettling-in-south-korea-challenges-for...
http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2011/09/20-north-korea-cohen
http://en.asaninst.org/contents/resettling-in-south-korea-challenges-for...
1
What I find to be puzzling is -- what is the difference between being a "defector" from North Korea, and being one of the vastly greater number who travel legally to China each year in search of work?
Is a "defector" defined as someone who says they were subject to horrible abuses and therefore should be permitted to emigrate to a country he or she prefers to China? How do we know how much of what any given defector alleges against North Korea might be the truth? What is the effect upon a defector when tempted by a book deal in exchange for telling a good story?
My source for the question of legal emigrants vs defectors from North Korea:
Dateline 2-4-15 ...the Chinese National Tourist Office released a white paper titled, “Statistical Report on Foreign Visitors to China,” on January 2nd, which revealed that 184,400 North Korean residents entered China last year, 20,000, or 10 percent, fewer than the 206,000 who traveled there in 2013.
Overall figures for North Korean residents entering China annually totaled between 100,000-120,000 until 2010 before jumping to 150,000 in 2011. A steady period of continual increase in visitors followed until 2013, when the number of North Koreans traveling to China reached an all-time high of 200,000, roughly half of whom noted their reason for making the trip as "looking for work." http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=12869
Is a "defector" defined as someone who says they were subject to horrible abuses and therefore should be permitted to emigrate to a country he or she prefers to China? How do we know how much of what any given defector alleges against North Korea might be the truth? What is the effect upon a defector when tempted by a book deal in exchange for telling a good story?
My source for the question of legal emigrants vs defectors from North Korea:
Dateline 2-4-15 ...the Chinese National Tourist Office released a white paper titled, “Statistical Report on Foreign Visitors to China,” on January 2nd, which revealed that 184,400 North Korean residents entered China last year, 20,000, or 10 percent, fewer than the 206,000 who traveled there in 2013.
Overall figures for North Korean residents entering China annually totaled between 100,000-120,000 until 2010 before jumping to 150,000 in 2011. A steady period of continual increase in visitors followed until 2013, when the number of North Koreans traveling to China reached an all-time high of 200,000, roughly half of whom noted their reason for making the trip as "looking for work." http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=12869